BlackBerry Ltd (BBRY) acquires stake in healthcare IT firm NantHealth

Posted Apr 15, 2014

BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) has acquired a minority stake in U.S. healthcare IT firm NantHealth. BlackBerry and NantHealth are working together on a smartphone to meet the needs of the healthcare sector with an expected launch of late 2014 or early 2015. The terms of the deal were undisclosed.

The new smartphone will be designed for healthcare workers and diagnosticians, but will have the ability to download consumer apps, games, and videos. It will be optimized for viewing 3D images and CT scans.

As the Canadian mobile giant struggles to achieve profitability again, BlackBerry is expanding beyond consumer devices under the leadership of newly appointed CEO John Chen.